Spurs can’t forget about Harris

DALLAS — Gregg Popovich called out his team’s defensive effort a day after Vince Carter nailed a game-winner to give the Dallas Mavericks a 2-1 series lead over the Spurs.

Popovich noted the Spurs didn’t make the stops they needed to in Game 3, as the Mavericks finished on a 14-8 run.“You got to make stops,” Popovich said, surrounded by reporters at the team’s hotel in downtown Dallas. “And we haven’t done a good enough job at that. I’m very disappointed about that, so far in this series. We need to make more stops. We haven’t guarded them as well as we should.”

The one guy who has played well in this series, Devin Harris, had his first bad outing, going 1 of 5, for three points in Game 3.

The Spurs can’t forget about him in Game 4, either.

If the Spurs do get too caught up in only trying to stop Ellis, Calderon or even Carter, Harris could just be the guy who makes them pay, the same way he did the first two games.

The one basket Harris converted in Game 3 wasn’t huge, but it did give the Mavericks an 85-82 advantage with 9:05 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Flashback to Game 1, Harris burned the Spurs for 19 points. He came off the bench to score a team-high 13 on 5-of-11 shooting in the first half, but Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said he had no intention of starting Harris in the second half after Calderon was struggling. Harris did play the entire fourth quarter, though.

Harris then came back in Game 2 to score 18 points, helping the Mavericks tie the Western Conference first-round series.

“Devin is Devin,” Popovich said when asked about Harris’ performance against his team in the playoffs. “He’s a skilled player. He can shoot it. He’s got the quickness to drive and get it to the rim. He’s very athletic. He’s a talented player.”

With his performance in Game 2, Harris has now scored at least 18 points nine times in his playoff career, seven of those times against the Spurs.

Harris said he doesn’t try to do anything special, only taking what the Spurs give.

“What I do out there is more about the guys on the floor than it is myself,” Harris said after Mavericks beat the Spurs in Game 2 at the AT&T Center. “When I am out there running the pick and roll, I got a Hall of Famer (Dirk Nowitzki) setting picks for me. I got another Hall of Famer sitting on the wing in Vince Carter. We got a lot of different weapons, so you know; they’re forced to choose who to guard. You can’t guard everybody on the court. I’m just reading the situations and trying to get the best shot that we can.”

With Tiago Splitter — mixed with some help from Boris Diaw — doing a good job guarding Nowitzki (averaging 15.0 points on 39.1 percent shooting the first three games), and Kawhi Leonard defending Ellis, Tony Parker has been faced with the job of defending Harris at times.

Parker said the Spurs didn’t plan on Harris scoring the way he did after Game 1, and added he’ll have to pay more attention to him throughout the series.

“He’s going to create stuff and put pressure on the defense,” Parker said.

Harris has done this to the Spurs before.

Remember that seven-game series back in 2006, when the Mavericks beat the Spurs in the conference semifinals? It was Harris who came up huge.

He averaged 12.7 points on 47 percent, including 62 combined points in Games 2, 3 and 4, all three the Mavericks won, before winning the series in Game 7.

Asked if he expected to see better defense from the Spurs sent his direction, Harris said: “I expect to see adjustments. It’s my job to read it and figure out a way to beat it.”

Ellis and Calderon combined for 45 points in game three against the Spurs; hence, Harris’ offense wasn’t missed.

Game 4, though; the Mavericks won’t be surprised to see the Spurs defend Ellis and Calderon better. Nowitzki could be due for a good game, and the Spurs are aware what Carter can do.

“They’re going to hit us hard,” Carter said. “They’re going to come out with a lot of intensity. They’re one of the best teams in the league, so, if we don’t expect that, we don’t have a chance against them.”

The Spurs just might hit hard, but they know the Mavericks will hit back. And if they forget him, Harris just may be the guy delivering some of those punches.

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Danny Green is chased by Dallas Mavericks' Jose Calderon during the first half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 26, 2014. The Mavericks lead the series 2-1. less

San Antonio Spurs' Danny Green is chased by Dallas Mavericks' Jose Calderon during the first half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan goes for a rebound against Dallas Mavericks' Samuel Dalembert during the first half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 26, 2014. The Mavericks lead the series 2-1. less

San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan goes for a rebound against Dallas Mavericks' Samuel Dalembert during the first half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker gets pressure from Dallas Mavericks' Jose Calderon during the first half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Mavericks lead the series 2-1. less

San Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker gets pressure from Dallas Mavericks' Jose Calderon during the first half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan drives around Dallas Mavericks' Brandan Wright during the first half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Mavericks lead the series 2-1. less

San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan drives around Dallas Mavericks' Brandan Wright during the first half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Tiago Splitter tries to defend against Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki during the first half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Mavericks lead the series 2-1. less

San Antonio Spurs' Tiago Splitter tries to defend against Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki during the first half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan loses the ball during the first half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Mavericks lead the series 2-1. less

San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan loses the ball during the first half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan, left, and Kawhi Leonard surround Dallas Mavericks' Samuel Dalembert during a rebound in the first half of game four of the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Mavericks lead the series 2-1. less

San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan, left, and Kawhi Leonard surround Dallas Mavericks' Samuel Dalembert during a rebound in the first half of game four of the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili is fouled in the last second of the game of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Spurs won 93-89 to tie the series 2-2. less

San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili is fouled in the last second of the game of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili reacts at the end of the game after hitting his two foul shots in of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Spurs won 93-89 to tie the series 2-2. less

San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili reacts at the end of the game after hitting his two foul shots in of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at the ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili is fouled in the last second of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Spurs won 93-89 to tie the series 2-2. less

San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili is fouled in the last second of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green put pressure on Dallas Mavericks' Monta Ellis during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Spurs won 93-89 to tie the series 2-2. less

San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green put pressure on Dallas Mavericks' Monta Ellis during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili drives as Dallas Mavericks' Samuel Dalembert tries to defend during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Spurs won 93-89 to tie the series 2-2. less

San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili drives as Dallas Mavericks' Samuel Dalembert tries to defend during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard reaches for a loose ball during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Spurs won 93-89 to tie the series 2-2. less

San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard reaches for a loose ball during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili attempts to steal the ball from Dallas Mavericks' Monta Ellis during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Spurs won 93-89 to tie the series 2-2. less

San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili attempts to steal the ball from Dallas Mavericks' Monta Ellis during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Tiago Splitter goes for two against Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Spurs won 93-89 to tie the series 2-2. less

San Antonio Spurs' Tiago Splitter goes for two against Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili is fouled by Dallas Mavericks' Devin Harris during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Spurs won 93-89 to tie the series 2-2. less

San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili is fouled by Dallas Mavericks' Devin Harris during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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Dallas Mavericks' Jose Calderon reacts after hitting a three-pointer during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Spurs won 93-89 to tie the series 2-2. less

Dallas Mavericks' Jose Calderon reacts after hitting a three-pointer during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at the American ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili brings the ball up the court during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Spurs won 93-89 to tie the series 2-2. less

San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili brings the ball up the court during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich protest a call with official Scott Foster during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Spurs won 93-89 to tie the series 2-2. less

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich protest a call with official Scott Foster during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan tries to defend against Dallas Mavericks' DeJuan Blair during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Spurs won 93-89 to tie the series 2-2. less

San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan tries to defend against Dallas Mavericks' DeJuan Blair during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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Dallas Mavericks' DeJuan Blair passes the ball over San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Spurs won 93-89 to tie the series 2-2. less

Dallas Mavericks' DeJuan Blair passes the ball over San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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Dallas Mavericks' Devin Harris loses the ball as San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan and Danny Green during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Spurs won 93-89 to tie the series 2-2. less

Dallas Mavericks' Devin Harris loses the ball as San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan and Danny Green during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan shoots over Dallas Mavericks' DeJuan Blair during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Spurs won 93-89 to tie the series 2-2. less

San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan shoots over Dallas Mavericks' DeJuan Blair during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Patty Mills steals the ball from Dallas Mavericks' Devin Harris during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Spurs won 93-89 to tie the series 2-2. less

San Antonio Spurs' Patty Mills steals the ball from Dallas Mavericks' Devin Harris during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Boris Diaw looks over to an official as he helps Tiago Splitter after Dallas Mavericks' DeJuan Blair kicked him in the head during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. DeJuan was ejected from the game. The Spurs won 93-89 to tie the series 2-2. less

San Antonio Spurs' Boris Diaw looks over to an official as he helps Tiago Splitter after Dallas Mavericks' DeJuan Blair kicked him in the head during the second half of game four in the first round of the ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan fouls Dallas Mavericks' Monta Ellis during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Spurs won 93-89 to tie the series 2-2. less

San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan fouls Dallas Mavericks' Monta Ellis during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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Dallas Mavericks' Samuel Dalembert tries to get control of the ball as San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan goes for the rebound during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Spurs won 93-89 to tie the series 2-2. less

Dallas Mavericks' Samuel Dalembert tries to get control of the ball as San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan goes for the rebound during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

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Dallas Mavericks' DeJuan Blair dunks the ball between San Antonio Spurs' Marco Belinelli, left, and Tiago Splitter during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Monday, April 28, 2014. The Spurs won 93-89 to tie the series 2-2. less

Dallas Mavericks' DeJuan Blair dunks the ball between San Antonio Spurs' Marco Belinelli, left, and Tiago Splitter during the second half of game four in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs at ... more